Handicapped ramps.

If you ever have need of a handicapped ramp--and we hope you don't--take a look at this one. It's built out of pressure-treated lumber, and we went back and painted it after it had weathered six months. I'll add an updated picture the next chance I get to grab one.

Wes, Kirk, and Chris--admiring their handiwork. We built the wooden steps
over the existing brick steps to keep the height and proportions correct.

                      The lattice adds a nice touch under the ramp, doesn't it?

Now, that's a ramp!

If you can see the shadows of the lone tree near the ramp--keep in mind--that was all the
shade we had. Whew! It was hot, too.

The shadows make it look crooked. It's not. It's as straight as it can be.

A Few Photos of Family and Friends.

Everyone loves to look at photos. Seeing pictures of other human beings helps us identify with them, and makes it easier to become friends. Since I enjoy being friends with my customers, I've decided to post some pictures of my family and my two main workers--Wes and Chris--who I also consider my friends. Here we go!

My granddaughter, Lily, her friend,
Grace, and my wife, Linda. Three cuties.

My eldest son, Earl, Jr., and
his best friend and
traveling companion.

My grandson, Cason, on
Lake Murray with my sister,
Doc Beth, in background. Beth's an
internist in Lexington, SC. 

Wesley, grouting a shower
 wall. It looks like hard
work, doesn't it? 

Linda and I congratulating
our friend and soon-to-be MD,
 Valerie Gribben, on the
publication of her second 
book. 

A life-size (honest--it's over
six feet tall) statue of
Johnny Cash, made of crayons
by my stepson, Herb.
See more of his work
at herbwilliamsart.com.

Wonder Woman! B. J. Teal,
our very own architect-designer.
 Her husband, Bill, looks on in
admiration. 

Here I am with some of my
third-grade Reading Buddies
from Prattville Elementary.  

My son-in-law, Jeremy,
holding Lily. Jeremy teaches at
The U. of South Florida.

My granddaughter, Lily. If you
call her Lily-Pooh, she'll get mad
and stomp around.

My youngest son, Jack. He manages
a tech company in Birmingham.

My step-son, Herb, with
 grandchildren, Maggie and Clay.
Herb is a sculptor and manages
an art gallery in Nashville.

A Stapelia gigantia. I enjoy
raising unusual plants.
The Stapelia blooms are beautiful,
 but they smell rancid,
and attract flies. 

My grandson, Henry. He may
look sweet, but I must warn
you--keep your eyes on Henry!

Herb's girlfriend, Campbell, with
Henry, in a game of tug-of-war.
I'm betting on Henry.

My grandson, Clay. As you
can see, they don't have
 barbers in Nashville.

Linda (in hat) with my
step-daughter, Jenny,
to her right. Jenny now has
four kids! Two are twins.
Poor, poor, Jenny. 

Wesley McLain. He didn't like
the way Chris checked
him out, and he tore it all
down so they could start over.
(Just kidding.)

Chris Brakefield, checking out
Wesley's work.

                            

                                   Anthony Williams--our computer/
                                    website guru. Without his help, none
                                     of this would be here. Thanks, Anthony!

Without Wes and Chris, nothing would get done. Thanks, guys. 

Exterior French doors.

Here are some photos of a recent job in Prattville, where we removed three windows and installed French doors. These doors were Atrium type doors, meaning that only one side is operable. These types of doors are better than standard French doors because they seal better at the threshold and between the doors. The customers can now host parties and easily move back and forth from the kitchen/dining area to a deck (which we also built). When the new mortar fades at the sides of the doors, where we filled in spaces left by the windows, the double doors will look as if they've always been there.

Wes and Chris examine the windows.

Wes and Chris make exterior measurements. 

Installing floor protection. 

The windows have been removed.

Adjusting the double doors.

The double doors are set in place.

The finished job. We love the bright colors, both inside and out, that the customers chose. 

The doors have been painted and we start on the deck. You can see the deck and the doors in a segment posted before this one. 

The doors are finished. This makes a nice breakfast space, doesn't it?

News Flash

    If you have access to Angie's List, take a moment to look at our newest (only) review. Wow! Thanks Mr. & Mrs. Borland. What a wonderful review!

A gorgeous bathroom--from start to finish.

Wes and Kirk after framing is done.

Wes working at drain.

Wes waterproofing.

Wes pouring concrete.

Notice the closet going in to the left of Kirk. 

Kirk testing seat height. These walls can't leak. We install a layer of 6 mil plastic, then tile backer board, sealed at all the joints. 

The floor tile is in; the wall tile begins.

Close-up of wall tile going up.

Another view of the wall tile going up.

Notice the shelves on the left. The wall tile is finished and the glass doors are in. The picture's a bit confusing because of the glass-door handles. It looks as if there are floating metal handles. There aren't. They're on the doors.

Another view of the finished shower. The shelves were left open. The floor is tiled with a tile resembling wood parquet. 

Another view of the finished shower.

Finished shower.

A view of finished shower from the master bedroom. Wesley, Kirk, and Chris did an outstanding job on this shower conversion, located in Prattville. 

    I don't have a shot of this job "before" we began wrecking it, but you can picture it--there was a shower on the left, where the shelves are located now, and there was a garden tub under the glass-block window. The customers did an excellent job choosing the tile, especially on the floor of the sitting area. The dark tile and grout will not show dirt or grime, making them easy to keep clean. Normally, I wouldn't pick a floor tile this dark, but the tiles shine like crazy, reflecting light, making them work well in this case.    
    If you look closely at the vanity in the top pictures, then glance at the last picture, you might notice that we filled in the vanity with more drawers where the knee space was located. You might consider doing this, too. Especially, if you don't sit at your vanity.
    I can't praise the guys enough. Wes, Kirk, and Chris built a bathroom worthy of any home, anywhere. The cost for this bathroom job was in the $8,000 range.
    And don't forget--in about two months, B.J. Teal will be back with us. After a sojourn in Tupelo, Mississippi, B.J. returns! For those of you who want a top-flight decorator to help you plan your bathroom or kitchen, B.J.'s the answer to your dreams.  More on B.J. later.
    But don't you agree? This is one nice bathroom!